CH6 The Demand for Sleep

Question 1

Consciousness

Answer 1

• Refers to the level of awareness one has of their own thoughts, feelings, perceptions and existence.
  
  • Is constantly changing
  • Is stored in STM.
  • Is a psychological construct → cannot be objectively or directly measured.

Question 2

Normal waking consciousness

Answer 2

• Refers to the state of consciousness associated with being awake and aware of objects and events in the external world, and of one’s sensations, mental experiences and own existence.
  
  • Includes relaxed and focused state
  • Perceptions and thoughts are organised and clear
  • The world is perceived as real and we maintain a sense of time and place.

Question 3

Altered state of consciousness (ASC)

Answer 3

• Any state of consciousness that is significantly different from any waking state in terms of level of awareness and experience.
  
  • Includes daydreaming and a coma.
  • Self-awareness or self-control may weaken.
  • Can be naturally occurring or induced. These are not mutually exclusive.

Question 4

Sleep

Answer 4

• Can be described as a regularly occurring ASC that typically occurs naturally and is primarily characterised by partial or total suspension of conscious awareness.
• Is a psychological construct

Question 5

Brain waves

Answer 5

• Are spontaneous, rhythmic electrical impulses that come from different brain areas.
• Vary in frequency and amplitude.

Question 6

Frequency

Answer 6

• Frequency → the number of times the wave repeats in a 1-second interval
  
  • High freq. indicates intense mental activity associated with awakeness and alertness, REM sleep
  • Low freq. indicates tiredness